The Thames Lido Heritage Feather

The redevelopment of Thames Lido, Reading, has opened its refurbished doors.

It was over three years ago I visited the dilapidated former baths for women and peeked at its sorry state of affairs. As I described in my blog the Grade II listed is described by English Heritage as ‘…an extremely rare and fine example of a complete Edwardian lido’. Built in 1902 the pool was constructed to allow women to bathe in privacy and was originally fed from the adjacent Thames.

Thames Lido, Reading – May 2014

You can see my video of the experience here and you can read my previous post on this here.

The Lido is open to the public for drinks and food, and operates as a part-membership access, part-public access for the pool and associated spa facilities.

As the oldest surviving outdoor municipal pool of the early Edwardian era it is a unique heritage feather in Reading’s cap. With the Abbey Quarter nearby and the opening of the Abbey ruins Summer 2018, it seems Reading has recognised it has breadth and depth of heritage of national interest.

If you manage to visit do let us know what you think: has it done the building proud?